EMA
Essay Plan
Produce a report
Write a report that evaluates the specific challenges and issues that might be faced by a
prison planning to implement a therapeutic service (as described in the hypothetical scenario
provided). Your report should be suitable for reading by a non-academic audience.
Key word: Evaluate
Think about how effective and ineffective different therapies might be for the
prisoners.
What are the challenges that are faced with offering therapy in the prison?
What are the benefits?
What are the drawbacks?
Word limit: 3000 words
Report should be based on the following scenario.
Scenario:
A local prison has contacted you (a psychological consultant).
Governor of the prison wants to implement a therapeutic service and offer the
prisoners therapy.
It is women’s prison – many of whom have experienced sexual and domestic abuse
and have been convicted several times for various crimes.
High levels of self-harm and attempted suicides were reported from the prison
inspection.
It is suggested that a number of the prisoners would benefit from receiving therapy.
The report should:
Include issues that need to be taken into consideration in setting up the therapeutic
service.
Provide the benefits of offering therapy.
Identify any drawbacks and potential challenges that may also be associated with
offering therapy in a forensic setting.
Suggest types of therapy that might be appropriate to offer women prisoners (like
attachment therapy, CBT, systemic therapy and mindfulness)
Suggest why a particular form of therapy might be beneficial and the drawbacks
associated with it.
Discuss why female prisoners may not respond to therapy.
Discuss how to help those who have suicidal thoughts and self-harm, and how to
deal with victims of sexual and domestic abuse.
Discuss how to prevent reoffending, as many have been convicted several times.
Include general suggestions and recommendations for the governor rather than
specific guidance on how the therapeutic service should be set up in the prison.
Draw on examples across the module, don’t draw exclusively or heavily on one topic
no matter how interesting you find it.
Include 2 additional sources of material to support points that are based on
examples from within the module, rather than introducing new topics or area.